Important reforms will continue to be delivered to create a better, fairer, more equitable education system for all students - regardless of age, background or postcode. Creating a safe, supported and protective environment for all students regardless of age, ability or background remains a priority for government.
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Early Childhood Education and Care
Nothing is more important than the wellbeing of our children. The Government continues to implement reforms to deliver a universal childhood education and care system while strengthening safety to protect children in care settings.
Early Childhood Education and Care Commission
The Government will work with states and territories to consider the potential development of a national Early Education and Care Commission to strengthen Australia’s early childhood education and care system.
Tell me more about Early Childhood Education and Care CommissionNational Early Childhood Worker Register
A further $17.6 million will be invested to enhance and expand the functionality of the National Early Childhood Worker Register (National Register). The National Register is a key part of the Australian Government’s $226 million package of safety reforms to early childhood education and care.
Tell me more about National Early Childhood Worker RegisterInclusion Support Program
A further $54.8 million will be invested in the Inclusion Support Program (ISP) in 2026-27, bringing total additional funding for the ISP to $114 million.
Tell me more about Inclusion Support ProgramSchools and Youth
The Government is investing in education supports, with the continuation of programs for First Nations students, STEM initiatives, and students’ health and well-being. Strengthened compliance and integrity measures will also ensure school funding is directed to where it is needed.
Teaching and Learning Commission
The Australian Government will work with the states and territories and key education stakeholders on a pathway to establish a new Teaching and Learning Commission. A single Commission would allow for greater coordination between curriculum, teaching, assessment, research, and reporting, and improved productivity across Australia’s school system.
Tell me more about Teaching and Learning CommissionSchool funding integrity
The Australian Government will improve compliance activities to safeguard the Australian Government’s investment in schooling and ensure funding goes to where it is needed, including better targeting funding for students with disability.
Tell me more about School funding integritySTEM funding extensions
The Australian Government will invest $5.9 million to extend five science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives to support better education outcomes for children and school students.
Tell me more about STEM funding extensionsFirst Nations funding extensions
The Australian Government will provide $113 million for a range of programs to support First Nations students’ education and help students thrive academically and culturally.
Tell me more about First Nations funding extensionsOnline National Assessment Platform
The Australian Government will invest $18.2 million over four years to support the maintenance and delivery of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), assessment online platform. The funding commitment will help ensure the operational integrity of the online platform and the successful delivery of NAPLAN and other national assessments into the future.
Tell me more about Online National Assessment PlatformLife Ed
The Australian Government will provide $1.7 million to extend the Life Education Australia (Life Ed) program for a further year. Life Ed delivers a wide range of health and safety programs for primary school children, including ‘Healthy Harold’ the giraffe.
Higher Education
A focus of the 2026-27 Budget for higher education is strengthening the regulatory framework that oversees the institutions central to the sector.
TEQSA powers
The Australian Government will strengthen the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s powers to improve its ability to monitor compliance and respond quickly to emerging and systemic risks. Stronger enforcement powers will help protect students, staff and the reputation and integrity of the sector.
Tell me more about TEQSA powersNSO funding and cost recovery
The Australian Government will provide funding over four years from 2026-27 to support the work of the National Student Ombudsman (NSO). Subject to legislation, a levy on higher education institutions will be introduced from 1 January 2027 to fully cover the ongoing costs of the NSO.
Tell me more about NSO funding and cost recoveryAustralia’s Economic Accelerator
No new research projects will be funded through Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) beyond the 2025-26 financial year. All existing AEA projects with contractually committed funding will continue to be supported to their conclusion.
Tell me more about Australia’s Economic Accelerator2026–27 Education Portfolio Budget Statements
The 2026-27 Education Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) provide information on the proposed allocation of funds to achieve government outcomes. They include budget statements for the department as well as entities working under the portfolio.
The statements provide information to assist parliament to understand the purpose of each outcome. The Education PBS were tabled on 12 May 2026.
